brakes
Brake Rotor - Rear Single
for 2024 Tesla Model Y Long Range Dual Motor AWD · AWD
Editorial review:Chris Hackleman — Master Technician · 20+ years · Jeff Moore — Master Lexus & Toyota Mechanic · 20+ years
Difficulty
Moderate
Time
48 min
Tools
13
Steps
12
✓Expert-verified. Personally reviewed and approved by OLP's master technicians (Chris Hackleman & Jeff Moore — 20+ years each). Always follow the vehicle's factory service information and torque specs.
Replace a single rear brake rotor on a 2024 Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD. The rear caliper uses an integrated electronic parking brake (EPB) actuator that must be placed in service mode via the touchscreen before caliper removal.
Warnings
⚠️Do not touch, cut, or pierce any orange high-voltage cable. Although this job is not HV, orange cabling runs along the underbody and battery pack.
⚠Rear calipers have an integrated electronic parking brake (EPB). The EPB MUST be placed in service/transport mode via the touchscreen before attempting to retract the piston, or you will damage the actuator.
⚠Use only Tesla-specified jack points with proper pucks. Lifting on the battery pack edge or pinch welds can damage the HV battery enclosure — an extremely expensive repair.
⚠Tesla wheels use aluminum-friendly hardware and centerbore fit. Do not strike the rotor or hub with a steel hammer; use a dead-blow or brass mallet if seized.
ℹ️Brake fluid service is recommended every 2 years on Tesla regardless of mileage — consider inspecting/flushing if due.
Tools required
1/2" drive torque wrench (up to 150 Nm)Essential
3/8" drive torque wrench (10-50 Nm range)Essential
Metric socket set (including 21mm thin-wall lug socket)Essential
Metric hex/Torx bit set for caliper hardwareEssential
Floor jack and jack stands (with puck adapters to protect battery pack)Essential
Tesla jack pad pucks (rubber/polyurethane)Essential
Caliper hanger / bungeeEssential
C-clamp or caliper piston tool (rear caliper requires wind-back capability for EPB)Essential
Wire brush
Brake parts cleaner
Threadlocker (medium strength, blue)Essential
Silicone brake grease for slide pinsEssential
Anti-seize for hub face (small amount, hub center only — NOT on rotor friction surface)
Parts
- Rear brake rotor (single) × 1 — OEM-equivalent rear rotor for 2024 Model Y Long Range AWD
- Rotor set screw (if damaged on removal) × 1 — Manufacturer-specified rotor retaining screw
Preparation
- Park on level ground, place in P, engage parking brake.
- Exit ALL doors with the key fob away from the vehicle. Wait at least 2 minutes for HV systems to fully de-energize, even on this non-HV job.
- Disconnect the 12V low-voltage battery. On 2024 Model Y, the 12V (Li-ion) battery is accessible from the front trunk area — refer to Tesla service documentation for exact access.
- DO NOT touch, cut, or pierce ANY orange cable — these are high-voltage and lethal.
- If at any point you encounter an orange cable, an HV component, or are unsure if a system is de-energized: STOP and consult a Tesla-certified technician.
- BEFORE disconnecting 12V: On the touchscreen, navigate to Service Mode (or Controls > Service > Brakes) and activate 'Brake Service Mode' / 'Pad Replacement Mode' to retract the EPB and disable parking brake auto-apply.
- Loosen the rear lug nuts a quarter-turn while the wheel is still on the ground.
- Raise the rear of the vehicle at the manufacturer-specified jack points using proper Tesla pucks, and support on jack stands. Never work under a vehicle supported only by a jack.
- Remove the rear wheel on the side being serviced.
Procedure
- 1Inspect and documentInspect the rear caliper, rotor, pads, hub, and dust shield. Note rotor thickness and any scoring. Confirm EPB is fully retracted (no resistance when sliding pads). If pads still seem clamped, return to the touchscreen and re-verify Brake Service Mode is active before proceeding.⚠If the EPB motor is still engaged, do NOT force the caliper open. Doing so will destroy the EPB actuator gear set.
- 2Remove caliper slide pin boltsRemove the two caliper slide pin bolts that secure the caliper body to the caliper bracket. Support the caliper as the second bolt comes free.Torque specCaliper Slide Pin Bolts35 Nm (26 lb-ft)
- 3Suspend the caliperLift the caliper off the rotor and suspend it from the suspension or subframe with a caliper hanger or bungee. Do NOT let it hang from the flexible brake hose or the EPB wiring harness.⚠Do not stress the EPB electrical connector or harness — replacement requires programming.
- 4Remove brake pads (if reusing)Slide the inner and outer pads out of the caliper bracket. Note their orientation (wear sensor side, if applicable) so they can be reinstalled correctly.
- 5Remove caliper bracketRemove the two caliper bracket bolts that secure the bracket to the rear knuckle. These are typically high torque and may require a breaker bar. Set the bracket aside on a clean surface.Torque specBracket Bolts102 Nm (75 lb-ft)
- 6Remove rotor set screwRemove the small set screw (Torx, typically T30) holding the rotor to the hub. If seized, apply penetrating oil and use a properly fitting bit to avoid stripping. Replace the screw if damaged.Torque specRotor Set Screws7 Nm (5 lb-ft)
- 7Remove rotorPull the rotor straight off the hub. If seized due to corrosion at the hub pilot, lightly tap the rotor face with a dead-blow mallet, or thread bolts into the rotor's threaded service holes (if equipped) to push it off.⚠Do not strike the hub, dust shield, or wheel speed sensor. The rear ABS/wheel speed sensor is integrated near the hub bearing and is fragile.
- 8Clean hub faceWire-brush the hub mounting face to remove rust and corrosion until it is clean and flat. A clean hub is critical to prevent runout-induced brake pulsation. Optionally apply a very thin film of anti-seize to the hub center pilot only — never on the rotor friction surface.
- 9Install new rotorRemove protective coating from the new rotor with brake parts cleaner. Mount the rotor onto the hub and secure with the set screw.Torque specRotor Set Screws7 Nm (5 lb-ft)
- 10Reinstall caliper bracketApply medium-strength threadlocker to the caliper bracket bolts and reinstall the bracket onto the knuckle. Torque to specification.Torque specBracket Bolts102 Nm (75 lb-ft)
- 11Reinstall pads and caliperInspect and lubricate the caliper slide pins with silicone brake grease; replace pin boots if torn. Reinstall pads into the bracket. With the EPB still in service mode and the piston fully retracted, slide the caliper over the pads and reinstall the slide pin bolts.⚠Confirm the piston face is squared with the inner pad backing plate. Forcing a misaligned caliper can damage the piston seal.Torque specCaliper Slide Pin Bolts35 Nm (26 lb-ft)
- 12Reinstall wheelMount the wheel and hand-thread all lug nuts. Lower the vehicle until the tire just contacts the ground, then torque the lug nuts in a star pattern.Torque specWheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)
Reassembly
- Reconnect the 12V low-voltage battery.
- Close all doors, then enter the vehicle with the key fob and power the system on.
- On the touchscreen, exit Brake Service Mode. The system will cycle the EPB actuator — listen for the motor to run and confirm no fault messages appear.
- With the vehicle still stationary, press the brake pedal firmly several times until it feels solid. The first 1-2 presses will be soft as the caliper piston takes up clearance against the new rotor.
- Apply and release the parking brake 2-3 times via the touchscreen/stalk and confirm normal operation with no warning messages.
Verification
- Confirm no ABS, EPB, or brake warning indicators are present on the instrument cluster/touchscreen.
- Perform a low-speed (5-10 mph) brake test in a safe area, checking for pull, pulsation, or unusual noise.
- Bed in the new rotor: perform a series of moderate stops from approximately 35 mph down to 5 mph (typically 6-10 cycles) without coming to a complete stop, then allow the brakes to cool. Follow the rotor manufacturer's bed-in procedure if provided.
- After a short test drive, re-check rear lug nut torque and inspect for fluid leaks at the caliper.
- Note service date/mileage. Reminder: Tesla recommends brake fluid replacement every 2 years regardless of mileage — verify when the brake fluid was last serviced.
- Reminder: Tesla recommends tire rotation every ~6,250 miles on Model Y due to high wear from instant torque and curb weight.